Cascading Musical Co-Ordination
Full of energy and enthusiasm they burst out at you from this album. Yes, here are other groups around that have this sound but there’s a cutting edge to this band, who rely heavily on the vocals of Kenny (the bassist) to carry their lyrics through. Tracks like “Get Up And Go” and “Best Of Me” show their commitment to what they are playing and in Kenny’s voice it’s obvious that he’s melting the mike he’s so close to it. The group’s pedigree is showing through when they have the likes of Nate Barcalow from Finch providing additional vocals on “The Ride” and “Cheek To Cheek”, and Keith Goodwin from Days Away on “Left Coast Envy”.
The Starting Line are not as lightweight as they may look, it takes a hell of a lot to get an album of 13 songs all but one written by the group, with “The Drama Summer” being written by Kenny Vasoli. Their hallmark is great musical coordination between Matt and Mike to get that cascading sound just right- these guys don’t need massive solos to make themselves heard. And Tom’s drum work is at times an arm blurring burst as on “Saddest Girl Story”, whilst throughout Kenny’s bass slams away like a jack-hammer.
The only real question mark would hang over the final track- “This Ride”, which does seem to lack a certain amount of direction, but that’s a minute price to pay for an album that will have you asking when and where you can see these guys.
Check them out at www.thestartinglinerock.com